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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.

WHAT GOD DOES WITH THE BROKEN

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:17

As I opened the
buffet, I noticed the broken platter. This wasn’t just any platter. It belonged
to a set of antique dishes that my husband collected. I knew he would be very
disappointed to learn that it was broken. The platter was in two pieces, so I
decided to glue it together, thinking perhaps it could still be used. When I
showed it to my husband, his response was, “You may as well throw it away; it
is ruined.”

Perhaps a poor
choice or a bad experience has damaged you. You are broken; you see yourself as
ruined. Well, I know Someone who can take what is broken and put it back
together. I know Someone who can take what is ruined and restore it to that
which is lovely, useful and valuable. His name is Jesus.

A woman was
brought to Jesus who was ruined in the eyes of men.She not only deserved to be cast off;
according to Jewish law, she deserved death. Yet, Jesus didn’t focus on her
failure; He focused on her future. He said to the woman, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11). With those words, Jesus showed
His confidence that her future could be drastically different from her past.
Because of her encounter with

Jesus, her life
could be transformed.

The same is true
for you. Instead of focusing on your past failures, focus on a future of hope
in Christ Jesus. Through a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus, your life
can be transformed into that which is lovely, useful and valuable to Him.

Perhaps you are
broken, but look what God did with these broken things: the pitchers of
Gideon’s army were broken, causing light to shine forth and the battle to be
won (Judges 7), the jar of perfume was broken, anointing Jesus with oil in
preparation for His burial (Mark14) and Jesus’ body was broken on the cross,
bringing salvation to the world (I Corinthians 11:24).

Lord, take this broken person that I am
and put me back together in a way that brings You glory. Amen.